Tú Eres Mi Sol

XXIII

Richard recalls that he was in the same situation a little over two and a half years ago, when Dei called him crying because her SOB useless boyfriend broke up with her. Dei was 17 when they broke up and they have only been together for three months.

But this one is different, it feels different. Dei's different this time.

Tomorrow, Richard flies back to Singapore to take his finals.

He knocks on her door and comes in, Dei was now eating in her room, but sobbing every now and then. She still hasn't spoken to anyone else except Richard and it was only the story about the breakup. 

***

They would spend the day in bed, with Dei hugging Richard and crying. Today, she was hugging Richard and sobbing a little. Richard closed his eyes for a moment then felt someone kissing him. It was Dei, to say he was surprised would be an understatement. 

It wasn't a kiss of passion nor lust, it was pretending to be passionate but it wasn't, it felt devoid to any emotion. It felt a kiss meant for someone else. 

For a time, he lost himself and kissed her back. Realising his mistake, he broke off the kiss. Dei seemed to want more, she titled her head and was moving towards his lips. 

"Dei! Dei!" He shakes her. It seemed like Dei was taken out a trance.

Richard covers his face with his palms. 

"Dei, Dei." He cups her face with his two hands. The moment her eyes meets his, her tears start falling.

Richard pulls her into a hug. 

"Dei, I do not know what you're going through but I want you to know that there's a lot of people who love you. Your dad, your grandparents, your siblings, Yaya Pinky, Me"

She looked at Richard, then his lips, and angled her face to kiss Richard.

"DEI!" Richard held her.

She was crying harder now. 

"Please don't do this to yourself. Don't do anything that you'll regret eventually."

"RJ, you love me right?"

Richard looked at her and they look at each other, and he hugged her tighter.

"Dei, this isn't you. Do not do this to yourself. And I will not answer your question, because I know that it isn't really the question you are asking. Love isn't just some word that one throws around lightly. One day if we find ourselves in that situation, I will do it right by you but not like this. 

We are concerned about your welfare, take all the time you need. Your dad, your grandparents, Yaya Pinky and I will be here, we won't leave. We are not going anywhere."

Richard, with all his self control is still a guy, he knew that if he didn't stop now, it may lead to things that they will both regret. Richard was raised a gentleman and he will not take advantage of someone especially in this state. 

"Dei, I want you to know that the world is your oyster. You are young, there's the whole world for  your picking and when you feel better, I would want you to explore."

"Please know that even if it takes a month, a year or a decade, know that you can count on us. We'll always try to put you before us. We are not going anywhere."

Dei sobbed, and kept on saying, "I'm sorry, RJ, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Dei. It's okay. All is forgotten."